Feeding your baby after birth with type 1 or 2 diabetes
You will be asked to feed your baby as soon as possible after the birth – ideally within half an hour – and then every 2-3 hours until your baby’s pre-feed glucose levels reach a level that your care team are happy with.
If your baby’s readings are below the healthy level on two checks in a row, or if they are having problems feeding, they will need to be tube fed or be given glucose through a drip. If they show signs of hypoglycaemia, they will be put on a glucose drip immediately.
Breastfeeding is the recommended way of feeding your baby. Diabetes in itself will not have any effect on your ability to breastfeed your baby. If you are able to breastfeed, it can have a range of benefits for your baby, such as reducing their chances of being hospitalised due to diarrhoea, vomiting or chest or ear infections. On a practical level, it avoids the need to make up feeds and sterilise bottles.
'I breastfed and I was really successful at that, I was very pleased with myself. I breast fed exclusively for six months, so I didn’t give her any food at all for six months.' Zoe, mum of one
Effect of breastfeeding on glucose levels
If you are breastfeeding, it will have some effects on your blood glucose levels. You may find that your glucose levels drop quickly while you are feeding, and afterwards. Test your levels regularly and reduce your insulin dose if your levels are low. Make sure you have healthy snacks to prevent hypos, as well as a glass of water to stay hydrated. Your team should take breastfeeding into account when discussing your insulin dosage with you.
If you are unable to breastfeed for a period of time but would like to return to it – for example, if your baby is receiving medical treatment – your team might suggest that you express your milk to make sure that your body keeps producing the same amount of milk. Many women find this quite tricky, so do ask your midwives for support.
For the first few days you will produce small amounts of colostrum – a thick substance that is highly nutritious. This is easiest to express by hand and needs to be stored in syringes labelled with your name
After the colostrum your ‘true’ milk comes in. Pay particular attention to your levels when your milk comes in, as you are at high risk of a hypo during this time.
Getting support
At this point you can express using a breast pump if you prefer. Some women find this difficult so, again, talk to your midwives if you need extra support, look for local breastfeeding support organisations and there are some national organisations below:
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers
Freephone helpline for childcare information.
La Leche League (Great Britain)
Help and information for mums who want to breastfeed.
Read more on post-birth
- NICE (2015) Diabetes in pregnancy: management of diabetes and its complications from preconception to the postnatal period, NICE guideline, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
- Perinatal Institute (2012) Diabetes and breastfeeding, V12.1. http://www.preg.info/PlanningAFamilyDiabetesNotes/PDF/7_diabetes_breastfeeding.pdf
- NHS Choices. Why breastfeed. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/why-breastfeed.aspx#close.
Review dates
Last reviewed: 1 September, 2015
Next review: 1 September, 2017
Also in this section
-
After the birth with type 1 or 2 diabetes
You will need to make changes to your medication and monitor your glucose levels carefully after you’ve had your baby. -
Third trimester with type 1 or 2 diabetes
If you are treated with insulin in pregnancy, by the third trimester your insulin requirements are likely to be much higher than they were before. -
Diet and exercise with type 1/2 diabetes
You may be able to use diet and exercise alone to keep your blood glucose levels within safe limits during pregnancy. -
Labour and birth with type 1 or 2 diabetes
Labour and birth may be different from what you had imagined, but it can still be a positive experience. Talk to your healthcare team about what your options are. -
Type 1 or 2 diabetes and pregnancy: who will be involved in your care?
Different local areas have different arrangements for type 1 and 2 diabetes care in pregnancy, but your team will include specialists in a number of different areas. -
Long term effects of type 1 or 2 diabetes in pregnancy
The fact that you have type 1 or 2 diabetes in pregnancy does not mean that your baby will get it as a child. But they will have an increased risk of getting it later due to genetics. -
How type 1 or 2 diabetes might affect your pregnancy
Having diabetes can increase the possibility of problems in pregnancy. But managing your diabetes well, before and during your pregnancy, will help to reduce these. -
Second trimester with Type 1 or 2 diabetes
By the second trimester, as your baby grows and starts to kick, you may need more insulin. Your medication and insulin needs will be regularly reviewed with you. -
Using insulin in pregnancy with type 1/2 diabetes
The treatment you were using to manage your diabetes before you became pregnant may change during pregnancy. If you were using tablets, you may have to start using insulin. -
Your baby after giving birth with type 1 or 2 diabetes
The levels of glucose in your blood can directly affect your baby’s glucose levels when he is born. -
Testing your glucose levels with type 1/2 diabetes
If you have type 1 or 2 diabetes, managing your blood glucose levels can now be much harder in pregnancy. Testing is an important part of self-care. -
Illness and insulin
If you are ill with type 1 or 2 diabetes, more glucose is released into your bloodstream and your body becomes resistant to insulin.